2 weeks vacation in June...Durango, Telluride or Crested Butte?

[elan]

I'd base myself in Durango and start exploring. I heard Telluride had a pretty good snow about a week ago. I'm in the Sangre de Christo mountains right now, the snow has pretty much melter but the darn wind is driving me nuts.

[Idunn]

If not the height, June is tourist season, so at least at times it might be advisable to book lodging in advance, if only the night before. But if you can otherwise remain flexible it might be nice to have a roving base camp.

Of the three, Durango will offer the warmest weather, and also most options in services and activities. Both Crested Butte and Telluride are not only remote, but high enough to have snow in their near vicinity. Some trails and hikes from them may still not be possible in June due snow. They will also experience cooler temperatures than Durango, particularly at night, but otherwise probably quite nice weather. All of them are unique and pleasant enough that you may wish to spend some time in each.

Not just Wolf Creek Pass, but CO 149 from South Fork affords a very nice drive through Creede and Lake City towards US 50 and eventually Crested Butte.

Slumgullion Pass (elevation 11,358 feet), just before dropping down into Lake City, will probably be open that time of year, but you may wish to check with CDOT prior as it is one of the less traveled roads and passes. A great drive all the same, and good choice if wishing to take a somewhat circuitous and scenic drive to Crested Butte.

Of the three you should find Crested Butte the quietest, smallest, but a nice town in a beautiful location. Locals in the area likely notable for an interest in mountain biking and such pursuits.

If possible, it would be a long drive and loop from Durango to Telluride and back in a day. Pity as well if not remaining long enough to enjoy the lovely scenery and many charms of that small town. Certainly not the size of Durango, and more expensive, but if one can overlook that then perfect comfort in food, lodging and most all the rest can easily be had.

Another possibility in the region, and less expensive than Telluride, but no less beautiful, would be Ouray. One might well pass through it on the way there, unless driving up through Rico. A fine place to spend some time, or just the night, but quieter; Telluride offers more activities and a youthful scene in general.

Depending from where in California, US 50 across Nevada and Utah (I-70 from Salina, UT) is a direct, largely empty, and great way to go. If one happens to be farther south, or veering in that direction, then passing through Zion NP is well worth it. Save late at night, there will be an entrance fee for what is but the relatively short distance of UT 9 from Springdale, UT east through the Park. But worth every penny in what is absolutely marvelous scenery. Moreover possibly one of the more direct routes east in continuing through Kanab, UT, Page, AZ, and a lot of beautiful desert country to merge with US 160 in northeastern Arizona. Definitely recommended if at all feasible. Also bear in mind that there are a number of good lodging options not only in Springdale, all the many more in St. George, UT, prior, but also the Park lodge within Zion itself. Particularly the latter, probably best booked in advance.

Should be a great trip. If and when passing through Creede, give it a second glance and perhaps take the time to drive a couple blocks north on main street. Chances are one will continue on soon enough, but one or two aspects may be of interest nevertheless.

[ctr88]

OK reporting back from my road trip...I completed my road trip yesterday. Did a 10 day trip though Durango, Crested Butte and Telluride with about 3 days in each of those towns. Also drove though Creede, Ridgway, Montrose, Mancos, Cortez, Gunnison, Lake City, Pagosa Springs and many other towns.

Crested Butte was spectacularly beautiful. I was blown away by it. And I've been though every state in the West and a lot of the east and that was one of the prettiest places I have seen. The drive up some of the dirt roads out of CB towards Aspen were stunningly beautiful, it almost didn't seem real. The amount of outdoors stuff literally at your doorstep is amazing. Peaks still snow capped, flowers, lots of green, rushing rivers, meadows. I thought CB has a cool old town too...I like it's old town better than Telluride, it's a bit less "Hollywood". CB's old town is all mom & pops in restored buildings, no national chains, kind of refreshing. Homeowners have done such a nice job restoring the old homes around town.

Telluride is of course pretty spectacular too and the old town is also very, very attractive. Telluride seemed more touristy though and a bit more pretentious. There is a lot of truth to what Jazzlover says about these ski towns. They have a bit of insular subculture feel to them. Everyone there is either a twentysomething mnt bike/ski bum stoner, yuppie or tourist. There aren't a lot of normal folks. But then again they are isolated resort towns. But the settings of CB & Telluride are absolutely off the charts.

I liked Durango too. But it's downtown can get very touristy when the buses come in. I was surprised how warm the evenings were there in June. Very good restaurants and pubs for that sized town and good live music acts. Some tasty beer brewed locally. Some nice tree-lined neighborhoods surrounding town. Durango is so close to incredible outdoors stuff (San Juans, SW Utah Parks) & is bigger than the ski towns, I would probably live there out of the 3 places.

Creede was also surprising a cool little town with some character. I also didn't think Gunnison was so bad.

But in summary, overall Crested Butte really blew me away with it's spectacular setting and old town. I would personally take it over Aspen and Telluride for many reasons...but I hear it does get pretty cold in the winter.

One cool thing this trip made me think about a town like Bend OR...Bend is not in nearly as pretty a setting as Telluride or Crested Butte, but it has more of a normal crowd and not just the "monoculture" of 20-something stoner snowboarder/mnt bikers or yuppies that some CO ski towns have. And Bend is close to Mnt. Bachelor area which at least gets close to the beauty of CB & T-ride (but not quite). And Bend is big enough to have much more shopping, services, etc... Anyway just going off on some random thoughts here. I do these road trips a few times a year to scout future early retirement or 2nd home locations

[kapetrich]

Originally Posted by ctr88

OK reporting back from my road trip...I completed my road trip yesterday. Did a 10 day trip though Durango, Crested Butte and Telluride with about 3 days in each of those towns. Also drove though Creede, Ridgway, Montrose, Mancos, Cortez, Gunnison, Lake City, Pagosa Springs and many other towns.

Crested Butte was spectacularly beautiful. I was blown away by it. And I've been though every state in the West and a lot of the east and that was one of the prettiest places I have seen. The drive up some of the dirt roads out of CB towards Aspen were stunningly beautiful, it almost didn't seem real. The amount of outdoors stuff literally at your doorstep is amazing. Peaks still snow capped, flowers, lots of green, rushing rivers, meadows. I thought CB has a cool old town too...I like it's old town better than Telluride, it's a bit less "Hollywood". CB's old town is all mom & pops in restored buildings, no national chains, kind of refreshing. Homeowners have done such a nice job restoring the old homes around town.

Telluride is of course pretty spectacular too and the old town is also very, very attractive. Telluride seemed more touristy though and a bit more pretentious. There is a lot of truth to what Jazzlover says about these ski towns. They have a bit of insular subculture feel to them. Everyone there is either a twentysomething mnt bike/ski bum stoner, yuppie or tourist. There aren't a lot of normal folks. But then again they are isolated resort towns. But the settings of CB & Telluride are absolutely off the charts.

I liked Durango too. But it's downtown can get very touristy when the buses come in. I was surprised how warm the evenings were there in June. Very good restaurants and pubs for that sized town and good live music acts. Some tasty beer brewed locally. Some nice tree-lined neighborhoods surrounding town. Durango is so close to incredible outdoors stuff (San Juans, SW Utah Parks) & is bigger than the ski towns, I would probably live there out of the 3 places.

Creede was also surprising a cool little town with some character. I also didn't think Gunnison was so bad.

But in summary, overall Crested Butte really blew me away with it's spectacular setting and old town. I would personally take it over Aspen and Telluride for many reasons...but I hear it does get pretty cold in the winter.

One cool thing this trip made me think about a town like Bend OR...Bend is not in nearly as pretty a setting as Telluride or Crested Butte, but it has more of a normal crowd and not just the "monoculture" of 20-something stoner snowboarder/mnt bikers or yuppies that some CO ski towns have. And Bend is close to Mnt. Bachelor area which at least gets close to the beauty of CB & T-ride (but not quite). And Bend is big enough to have much more shopping, services, etc... Anyway just going off on some random thoughts here. I do these road trips a few times a year to scout future early retirement or 2nd home locations

Thanks for the summary. I'm a HUGE fan of Durango. Almost moved there myself before settling on Bend. Durango's just too small for me. Will have to check out Crested Butte next time I'm out that way (1 month!).

I hear you about Bend. It's just far enough away form the mountain to be more than a ski town, but still retains that vibe in many places. Also, the city is big enough to not JUST be about tourism. It's relatively diversified when comparing it to other "ski towns."

FYI, there's an are in Bend that is very similar to Durango in being surrounded by mountain cliffs, etc. PM for details. I wish I had known about it before I settled in!

[Dizzydog]

Don't visit that part of Colorado without seing Silverton and Ouray!!

[debbie at bouontiful]

Originally Posted by elan

I'd base myself in Durango and start exploring. I heard Telluride had a pretty good snow about a week ago. I'm in the Sangre de Christo mountains right now, the snow has pretty much melter but the darn wind is driving me nuts.

Are you living there? We're interested in retiring near there. Our list includes Trinidad, Chama, Pagosa at present.

[ctr88]

Silverton and Ouray are VERY cool. Silverton especially in a shockingly beautiful setting. Ouray does get a LOT of tourists though. Very cool brewery in Ouray with a rooftop deck. Did a hike out of the mineral campground outside of Silverton to ice lake basin that was SWEET! I wanted to to the dirt road drive from Silverton to Lake City but was driving a sedan and needed a truck.

[Dizzydog]

Originally Posted by ctr88

Silverton and Ouray are VERY cool. Silverton especially in a shockingly beautiful setting. Ouray does get a LOT of tourists though. Very cool brewery in Ouray with a rooftop deck. Did a hike out of the mineral campground outside of Silverton to ice lake basin that was SWEET! I wanted to to the dirt road drive from Silverton to Lake City but was driving a sedan and needed a truck.

We did that drive recently, then headed to Ouray. was awesome.

Next to NW Montana that part of the world is my very favorite.

[ctr88]

I would agree...San Juan Mnts of CO and NW Montana definitely two of the prettiest mountain areas of the U.S hands down. I think NW Montana wins on nicer lakes & CO slightly more spectacular mnt peak views.